So it seems like the internet has made everyone feel like they're absolutely hilarious, or at least the distance and veil of anonymity that the internet provides gives people the impression that everything and anything can be joked about at any time in any context. Everyone just wants to go viral, or something. And don't get me wrong, like, sometimes people are really funny and the wider stage of social media has proven that anyone can stand in the funny spotlight. But the internet isn't so much as a level playing field as it is a hazard zone where intent and tone too often get missed or lost in the mix.
Not everything needs to be joked about, not everything is a pun, and when you're sitting or standing across from a real person or a group of people this is more apparent. It’s a lot easier to navigate how people are feeling and if a joke is appropriate or not in real life. This isn't really the case on social media.
I make really vague posts on social media on purpose to see how people react to them. I have noticed that people often use these context-free spaces to as a springboard for making their own jokes in response to how they perceive my joke. It's fascinating to me to see how some people will respond and what kind of things come up in their minds when they see one of my weird posts. I’ll post something on Facebook like “God Bless My IBS” and see how people react and respond. Being context-free, posting a random thought or idea stripped of any real meaning but sounds cool in my head, is funny to me. I like serving up a blank canvas for other people to project whatever ideas they get from it onto it in the space of the comment section.
Maybe I'm thinking too much about this, I don't know. But I do know that in the past my propensity to use other people's platforms as a way to make jokes has gotten me into trouble. I don’t really do it that much anymore unless it’s someone who I know well. Not everyone likes it, and if dip into the realm of being too familiar with certain people online they will tell me to sod off. Which is fine, and it’s a good thing to remember. Social media has blurred the lines of relationships. Call it orbitor syndrome, maybe. Not everyone is your friend, even if you mutually follow each other. Not everyone will get your sense of humor, so be mindful of where and with whom you crack jokes.
Just because one person is making a joke doesn't mean that all the people responding to that joke with their own jokes are going to be wanted or appreciated. Sometimes people just want to make a joke and not be an open mic night for other people trying to one up them. Sometimes it feels a little bit disrespectful to joke on top of the original joke because in a way you're kind of missing the joke.
I don't really feel the need to shut people down so much anymore if they make a bad joke or if they say something that I think is kind of stupid in response to my joke unless they’re being really rude or cruel. I used to do this a lot, and it doesn't make me feel good to do that, it doesn't make the other person feel good to see that, and it doesn't really stop the behavior from occurring.
This is the internet, this is how people act. It’s safe to assume that most people act are way more reserved and respectful in real life and shutting someone down because their joke or response is corny or annoying serves no real purpose, it kind of just halts the conversation and any chance of a conversation being had. And that's the whole point of why I post without context: I do I want people to respond and I want conversations to spring forth from my randomness. I'm a Libra, I bring people together I connect people even when they don't realize it.
Anyway, this is just something I've been thinking about. I'm dictating this on my phone as I walk to the coffee shop to get some ground decaf coffee to take home and a large Americano with an extra shot for myself on this rainy beautiful morning that makes me wish I lived in England as these types of mornings often do. Thanks for reading and remember: be kind, let people be unfunny on your timeline.